Estelle Wang Bonora

Miss Wok in Tramin

Sometimes a culinary journey doesn’t begin in a gourmet kitchen, but with a wok in an apartment in Tramin. And sometimes its roots lie neither in Tramin nor in Tyrol, but in a Chinese-French family story. That is also how the story of Estelle Wang Bonora begins – better known as Miss Wok: private chef, ambassador of good taste, and warm-hearted host with a passion for Asian flavors and a remarkable sensitivity for people.

Since moving to Tramin, Estelle has brought not only spices into the villages of southern South Tyrol with her “mobile kitchen”, but also a touch of intercultural curiosity. When her wok begins to sizzle and the aromas of sesame, ginger, and fresh herbs fill the room, something greater than dinner quickly takes shape. “I came here to cook authentic Chinese cuisine and show people how diverse and fresh Asian food can be.” She speaks French, Chinese, English, German, and Italian – another reflection of her intercultural background and her openness to the world.

Between Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Tramin

Estelle Wang Bonora was born in Paris and grew up between Chinese, French, and American cultures. Her path later led her to Shanghai – and eventually to South Tyrol. When she first arrived in Tramin, everything felt new.

“My first impression was: what a beautiful village. Everything felt so small – until then, I had only lived in big cities.”

Today she lives among vineyards, changing seasons, and a region that understands good food – and perhaps for that very reason is open to new flavors.

Cooking Like at Home

Her passion for cooking comes from her family. Her father trained as a chef in Hong Kong and later ran a Chinese gourmet restaurant in Paris for many years. From him, Estelle inherited not only recipes, but also discipline, precision, and a love for craftsmanship.

“I cook the favorite dishes of my childhood – even the favorite dishes of my father and grandmother.”

Many of her dishes carry memories within them. Family stories. Journeys across continents.

Her own family history is also shaped by movement: during the communist era, her family left China, lived for more than ten years in Hong Kong, and later found a new home in Paris. Traditions were preserved and passed on – often through food.

Perhaps that is exactly why every dish she creates is far more than just a recipe.

How Miss Wok Was Born

The idea did not begin with a business plan. It began with friends.

Because she could not find the dishes she knew from her family anywhere, Estelle started cooking at home. Later, she also cooked for the volleyball club in Tramin. One day, a friend told her: “You’re really good at this. You should do something with it.” And so, at the end of 2018, Miss Wok was born. The idea behind it was simple and deeply personal at the same time: bringing the favorite recipes of her father and grandmother to South Tyrol.

“South Tyrol, like China, has a real food culture.”

More Than Just Dinner

Booking Estelle is not the same as ordering traditional catering.

She arrives with ingredients, woks, experience, and calmness. She cooks on-site, explains, shares stories in German, and creates an atmosphere where people don’t simply eat – they experience something together.

“I want people to discover something about Chinese culture and take home a sense of the gastronomy of Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.”

An evening with her is at once show cooking, encounter, and culinary journey.

And things become especially exciting where two worlds meet.

Estelle consciously works with regional ingredients: vegetables from local farmers, local meat, South Tyrolean mushrooms, herbs from the garden. And she combines them with the flavors of her roots.

That is how green asparagus – almost unknown in China – became part of her menu. As did Arctic char or local gourmet mushrooms. Not because it is trendy. But because it simply works.

Wok, Wine, and Warmth

Estelle is booked for private dinners and special occasions – in people’s homes, clubhouses, companies, or farmhouses. Places where people want to experience an evening that stays with them.

She always brings along her own equipment, great attention to detail, and the ability to make people feel welcome almost instantly. She especially enjoys preparing Chinese New Year dumplings – a dish that requires patience and precise craftsmanship.

“I like working precisely and following every step carefully.”

When asked about her personal motto, she answers simply:

“Passion, precision, dedication.”

And perhaps those words describe her evenings best. Because Miss Wok is not simply a service. It is an experience.A dinner with her is not an “Asian-themed evening,” but a genuine conversation – about origins, flavors, and the things that connect people.

Or more simply put: When Estelle cooks, dinner becomes a small piece of the world.

For anyone who would like to experience it themselves: Estelle Wang Bonora can be booked as a private chef – for both locals and guests in Tramin.

The wok is ready.And Estelle is too.